I'm I slowing down correctly?

[fastereddie]

Details: 2004 Mack Granite straight flatbed truck, 4 axles(including drop axle), gross weight 76,000, 9 speed Fuller
Road: downhill to offramp, need to slow from 50 to 15 in 250 yards
Procedure:set Jake to max, hard stab of brakes and release, , downshift, Jake slow to 1000, repeat for gears 7,6,5,4,3

The question I have- is it better to hold brakes longer but at lower pressure to slow this heavy weight or heavy pressure of a shorter duration. I have had no problems slowing but would like to maximise life of the brakes.

[slider64683]

Most brake wear comes from heat. So to keep the heat down do short hard stabs on the brake. Also use the jakes coming up the the ramp to slow down some.

Happy Holidays

[classicxl]

how about slowing down before you get to the ramp and downshift using the brake only to come to a stop at the stop sign

[slider64683]

My thoughts also ClassicXL. I think I could bring my 120000lbs rig to s stop from 65 to 15 in 250 yards. Hell start braking early

[classicxl]

Lately i have just seen alot of drivers come off the ramps and just use there brakes no downshifting or jake at all I guess since its a company truck they think brakes are free

[Mackman]

my 2001 Mack tractor dont have a JAKE on it. So if i truck aint got it you cant use it. But i do slow way down and still downshift on ramps. But a Jake would be nice.

[slider64683]

Believe it or not all you have to do to assist to slow down is to turn your engine fan on. Engine fan causeing engine speed to reduce. So it slows the truck Kinda like a jake.

Happy Holidays

[geeshock]

Lately i have just seen alot of drivers come off the ramps and just use there brakes no downshifting or jake at all I guess since its a company truck they think brakes are free

Might be free but when those brakes fail i'll bet they'll wish they slowed down early

[classicxl]

you got that right. best way to slow down is downshift. my Jake's are used when going down mountains not off ramps or truckstop parking lots

[nrvsreck]

I don't think you need a Jake brake for an offramp. Main thing is downshift early, keep downshifting, and stay off the brakes (that doesn't mean don't use the brakes, just don't over-use them). Your brakes are your best friend. Don't destroy them if you don't need to.

[Fourcats]

Saving your brakes is fine, but they are a "wear item" and are easy to replace when compared to a clutch, drive shaft or tranny. Are you overshifting?
The local logic is "stab braking" works and it does. Years ago someone "influenced" the industry into thinking that steady pressure was best, its not.
The best thing is get slowed down before the hill {remove foot from accelerator pedal}

Saving your brakes is fine, but they are a "wear item" and are easy to replace when compared to a clutch, drive shaft or tranny. Are you overshifting?
The local logic is "stab braking" works and it does. Years ago someone "influenced" the industry into thinking that steady pressure was best, its not.
The best thing is get slowed down before the hill {remove foot from accelerator pedal}

Your supposed to use that pedal on the left?!?!?!

[slider64683]

No that pedel is called the chlutch. LOL I use my jakes when needed that extra stopping power. But I have no problem using my breaks. We were all young drivers once and done the samething that we're talking about. But we all fixed it sooner or later.

Slider

[millersod215]

http://www.layover.com/driverscorner/lonelyknight/
Check this link out, about downshifting, and braking, and all that good stuff. I stumbled across it about 3 years ago while checking that site out, and to be honest will never use another technique. If you can apply that technique of driving to everyday conditions, you'll feel like you're in much more control of the truck, and i use that system while using my Jake, and i was amazed how well it worked. Might take a little while to get used to, but once you do you'll be happy. Hope it helps, i know i'm glad i picked up on it.

[millersod215]

I know it's a long story, but pay attention to the first 2 paragraphs, good information.

[ssoutlaw]

Saving your brakes is fine, but they are a "wear item" and are easy to replace when compared to a clutch, drive shaft or tranny. Are you overshifting?
The local logic is "stab braking" works and it does. Years ago someone "influenced" the industry into thinking that steady pressure was best, its not.
The best thing is get slowed down before the hill {remove foot from accelerator pedal}

"Years ago someone "influenced" the industry into thinking that steady pressure was best"

I believe this was meant for steep grades, not off ramps.

[nrvsreck]

http://www.layover.com/driverscorner/lonelyknight/
Check this link out, about downshifting, and braking, and all that good stuff. I stumbled across it about 3 years ago while checking that site out, and to be honest will never use another technique. If you can apply that technique of driving to everyday conditions, you'll feel like you're in much more control of the truck, and i use that system while using my Jake, and i was amazed how well it worked. Might take a little while to get used to, but once you do you'll be happy. Hope it helps, i know i'm glad i picked up on it.

I taught myself to do this a couple of years ago. It took probably a couple months to get used to, then another few months to master, but it's a tremendous advantage to be able to use both feet for slowing instead of only using the right foot for everything. It's similar to heal-and-toe used by race car drivers, but not as complicated since down-shift clutching in a truck is largly unnecesary, as opposed to the high-speed downshifting in a race car. Engine braking can help, but it's still unnecessary except in the mountains. Honestly, I just don't like to listen to the engine brake so I rarely use it.

[terrylamar]

http://www.layover.com/driverscorner/lonelyknight/
Check this link out, about downshifting, and braking, and all that good stuff. I stumbled across it about 3 years ago while checking that site out, and to be honest will never use another technique. If you can apply that technique of driving to everyday conditions, you'll feel like you're in much more control of the truck, and i use that system while using my Jake, and i was amazed how well it worked. Might take a little while to get used to, but once you do you'll be happy. Hope it helps, i know i'm glad i picked up on it.

I taught myself to do this a couple of years ago. It took probably a couple months to get used to, then another few months to master, but it's a tremendous advantage to be able to use both feet for slowing instead of only using the right foot for everything. It's similar to heal-and-toe used by race car drivers, but not as complicated since down-shift clutching in a truck is largly unnecesary, as opposed to the high-speed downshifting in a race car. Engine braking can help, but it's still unnecessary except in the mountains. Honestly, I just don't like to listen to the engine brake so I rarely use it.

I would guess you are floating your gears with this method?

[nrvsreck]

Yes. Couldn't imagine doing it while trying to double-clutch.

[millersod215]

yeah, i don't double clutch, so this method is what works good for me, i've just gotten in the habit of doing it, and it works for me, so i wouldn't do it any other way. I just thought it might be a good bit of advice for new drivers, but i know some people have a tough time not double clutching, and getting the hang of floating the gears.